Mrs. Tra's concern mirrors a common anxiety among many patients facing invasive procedures. A prevalent belief suggests that securing "the first endoscopy slot" is crucial to minimize the risk of cross-infection from communicable diseases. Some individuals even reschedule their appointments to ensure they get the initial slot.

Digestive endoscopy is a procedure utilizing a small, flexible tube equipped with a camera and light, inserted directly into the digestive tract. This allows for diagnosing conditions such as ulcers, early cancer detection, and interventions like biopsies, polyp removal, or hemorrhage control. As the equipment penetrates deep and contacts bodily fluids, hygiene and disinfection are primary patient concerns.

Doctor Tran Minh Tuan, Head of the Endoscopy Department at Military Hospital 175, explains that strict adherence to infection control and equipment processing protocols ensures the endoscope's sterile quality remains identical for both the first and last procedures of the day. However, patient apprehension is understandable if a medical facility's disinfection procedures are neglected.

Doctor Tuan warns that an inadequately cleaned endoscope poses a risk of cross-infection with communicable diseases. The device's complex structure, featuring numerous small channels, can also retain water and disinfectant solutions during processing. Insufficient rinsing with clean water, contrary to recommendations, may leave chemical residues that directly impact patient health.

Staff at the Endoscopy Department, Military Hospital 175, clean endoscopes using automated washing systems. *Photo: Hospital provided*

To prevent such incidents, a crucial principle dictates that equipment must follow a "one-way path." Within the disinfection area, two distinct dirty and clean zones are strictly separated. Following an endoscopy procedure, the soiled scope is immediately removed through a rear exit and directed to the processing area.

Before cleaning, equipment undergoes a quality check, with gastroscopes and colonoscopes routed separately. The standard procedure includes water rinsing, immersion disinfection, re-rinsing, and forced-air drying. To optimize this, Military Hospital 175 has invested in 8 automated washing systems. These closed-loop systems meticulously control time, concentration, and flow, ensuring effective disinfection, reducing errors, limiting chemical residues, and minimizing healthcare staff exposure to disinfectants.

After cleaning and drying, endoscopes are stored in specialized cabinets featuring air filtration and environmental control systems. These systems maintain dryness, help prevent re-contamination, and ensure the scopes are ready for use as recommended. Consequently, the endoscope's quality remains consistent throughout the working day, independent of whether an examination is scheduled for the "first slot" or the "last slot."

Endoscopes are stored in specialized cabinets after cleaning and drying. *Photo: Hospital provided*

Doctor Tuan advises patients against creating unnecessary psychological pressure, rushing, or enduring tiring waits simply to secure the first endoscopy slot. The essential factor for safety is choosing a reputable medical facility that has invested in a robust infection control system and strictly adheres to Ministry of Health standards. Rather than focusing on appointment timing, patients should concentrate on correctly following pre-procedure instructions, particularly regarding fasting and proper use of bowel-cleansing medication, to ensure the most accurate diagnostic results.

Le Phuong